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One of the most accessible glaciers to visit in Norway, the incredibly beautiful Briksdalsbreen Glacier is a must-visit natural wonder. Discover all you need to know about this mighty glacier in southern Norway in our complete travel guide, including how to get there, hiking trails to take and ‘troll car’ glacial shuttles you can ride on!
Briksdalsbreen Glacier, Norway
An arm of the epic Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the spectacular Briksdalsbreen Glacier sits within the expansive wilderness area of Jostedalsbreen National Park. Pouring through the gap between towering mountains, Briksdalsbreen Glacier is set among lush green forests, cascading waterfalls and flowing rivers.
Dropping 1200 meters down into the picturesque Briksdalen Valley, Briksdalsbreen Glacier flows into a small glacial lake called Briksdalsbrevatnet. Environmental factors including precipitation levels, snowfall and temperature affect the size of Briksdalsbreen Glacier, which changes over time.
Although the glacier has been receding in recent decades, Briksdalsbreen Glacier found itself in the international spotlight in the 1990s, due to the fact that it was growing at a time when most other glaciers in Europe were receding.
Where is Briksdalsbreen Glacier?
Located in the south of Norway, just north of Bergen and south of Trondheim, Briksdalsbreen Glacier sits towards the edge of Fjord Norway. Its location within the vast Jostedalsbreen National Park makes it accessible only through hiking – along incredibly beautiful hiking trails, that is – or by ‘troll car’ (more on this later)!
Perhaps the most famous and accessible of all of Jostedalsbreen Glacier’s arms, Briksdalsbreen lies on the northern side of Jostedalsbreen in Briksdalen Valley. Around 25 kilometers south of the Norwegian village of Olden, Briksdalsbreen Glacier sits in the municipality of Stryn in Vestland county.
How to Get to Briksdalsbreen Glacier
Reaching Briksdalsbreen Glacier from Bergen will take around 5 hours and 15 minutes by car. You’ll need to drive along the E39 and take a ferry on the way, too.
Approaching from Trondheim will take 6 hours and 30 minutes via the E6 and Rv15. Note that there are tolls along this route.
If you’re heading to the glacier from the Norwegian capital of Oslo, you’ll need to drive for 7 hours along the E6 and Rv15. There are also tolls along this route.
Alternatively, you can take the public glacier bus, which takes you from Stryn bus station to Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge. There’s one bus to the glacier and one bus back to Stryn each day, giving you around 2 hours and 45 minutes to explore the glacier before heading back.
To reach Briksdalsbreen Glacier itself, you’ll need to hike from the end of the road to reach the glacial valley. You can park your car at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge and begin the amazing hiking route from here.
Best Activities to Enjoy at Briksdalsbreen Glacier
You might be wondering what you can get up to at Briksdalsbreen Glacier. Well, here are our top recommendations for the best things to do and activities to enjoy!
Explore the epic Briksdalsbreen hiking trails
One of the most scenic hikes in Norway, the path from Briksdalen Valley to the glacier itself treats you to some breathtaking panoramas. This 3 kilometer-long hike takes around an hour each way, starting at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge and ending at the foot of the epic Briksdalsbreen Glacier. You can access this hiking route all year round and it’s a relatively easy trail.
You might also like to explore two other nearby glaciers, Melkevoll and Brenndal, in addition to Briksdalsbreen, which you can do on the three glacier hiking route.
Take the ‘troll car’ glacial shuttle
Be part of a century-long tradition by being transported to Briksdalsbreen Glacier along the stunningly beautiful road that was historically taken by farmers transporting tourists by horse and carriage. Nowadays, ‘troll car’ glacial shuttles are used. You can either take a single-way ride or a round-trip.
Prices for a round-trip are 170 NOK (about $15 USD) for children and 280 NOK (about $19 USD) for adults.
Admire Kleivafossen Waterfall
Spending some time admiring and taking photos of the epic Kleivafossen Waterfall is a must-do when visiting Briksdalsbreen Glacier. The bridge to the glacier crosses over the waterfall, so you can experience the mighty water flow up close. Kleivafossen Waterfall is actually one of the most photographed natural wonders in Norway, with the water rapidly cascading down the mountain valley after finally being released from the glacial ice.
You’re sure to get sprayed by this waterfall when crossing the bridge, which is a quintessential experience when in the Briksdalen area!
Top Tips For Visiting Briksdalsbreen Glacier
Here are our top tips to keep in mind when visiting Briksdalsbreen Glacier to make sure you enjoy your visit to the max!
Bring a waterproof coat – You’ll need a waterproof coat for sure when visiting Briksdalsbreen Glacier, especially as the bridge to the glacier crosses over a waterfall!
Wear proper hiking boots – Protect your feet and make sure you’re comfortable by wearing some sturdy (and preferably waterproof) hiking shoes during your trip to Briksdalsbreen Glacier.
Never hike on a glacier without a guide – Glaciers are dynamic, ever-moving natural wonders. Even though they move slowly, chunks of ice can sometimes fall away or water can rush out from underneath, so it’s important to make sure to have an experienced guide if you plan to walk on the glacier itself.
Check out the weather and road conditions before your trip – As weather conditions can be changeable in Norway, we recommend taking a look at the local Norway weather forecast and the up-to-date Norway road conditions before setting off to Briksdalsbreen Glacier.
Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses – You might not think to bring sunscreen and sunglasses on a glacier trip, but these will definitely come in handy!
Hike to the Epic Briksdalsbreen Glacier For Yourself!
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